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This
chapter underscores nearly everything the Bible has to say. Therefore, it would
be to our advantage to consider our responsibilities as we study the
other chapters of this book, because it applies to most contexts in one way or
another. A new convert or a troubled Christian who is seeking a new beginning
would benefit from this chapter because it addresses some of the basic
responsibilities we have as Christians. It also provides direction to mature
Christians as a standard by which they can measure their own faithfulness toward
God.
Perhaps
the greatest mystery of the Bible and the key to Christianity itself is how God
could humble Himself, leave His home in heaven and come to serve mankind in the
frailty of human flesh. The Bible gives this subject much attention, for
servant-hood is one of our greatest privileges as the children of God. Those who
study its precepts will acquire a sense of humility and duty for their creator
and fellow man.
The
Bible depicts sin as the essence of the human condition and the cause of all
suffering in the world. This chapter addresses the issues head-on, exposing the
roots and consequences of sin by putting familiar words like: "Greed",
"Lust", and "Pride" into proper Biblical perspective,
showing how negative an impact they have on our lives when we fall prey
to their destructive influences. The reader after studying this chapter will
better understand how the effect of sin eats away at the spiritual and moral
fabric of society.
God's
many gifts are our only true possessions. He ultimately intends to give us His
entire kingdom through Christ. His generosity portrays His limitless love and
approval, illustrated no better than at the cross, where He demonstrated His
benevolent nature to His creation. This chapter systematically addresses the
many facets of God's grace and mercy through a comprehensive list of references,
so the reader can understand the vastness of His heart and His eternal favor
upon mankind.
The
Bible does not view God's judgment as a negative thing, but as a positive
attribute of His divine nature. The Bible depicts God judging the sin of the
world through the purification of Christ's sufferings to qualify Him as a prince
and judge of mankind. This chapter will help the reader understand the symbiotic
relationship between God's judgment and His forgiveness through the cross as the
ultimate act of mercy, and as the instrument that God will use to condemn those
who reject His grace.
The
study of paradoxes takes a break from the rigid, theological platform and
examines the many anomalies of Scripture. This chapter alone is worth buying the
program to anyone who would casually leaf through its pages and observe an
extensive compilation of ironies, opposites, two implied meanings and a host of
other related topics prepared for a wide variety of uses. Most paradoxical
studies examine the apparent contradictions of Scripture (which there none), but this one studies conceptual aberrations that previous studies have
overlooked until now, but
in no way
questions the veracity of the Bible.
There
is a nearly endless supply of references about God delegating authority to His
creation. The Bible teaches that the Father has delegated all His authority to
Christ, and that Christ in turn has delegated all His authority to the church.
God's authority does not originate from His vastness or His infinite power, but from His righteousness and honor. He proves
to His creation that He is a competent judge by virtue of His wisdom, which acts
as a measure of His authority. Those who study this chapter will better
understand how to walk in the power of God by submitting to His authority and
delegating their authority to others.
The compelling relevance of this chapter explains
in painstaking detail the process of walking and communicating with God as a list of prerequisites in progressive order. Each step guides the
reader into a concise procedure of obedience, leading to an ever-widening
relationship with God. This being the longest chapter in the book, suggests that
it is the main theme of the Bible and God's primary vision for the church with
"Unity" as the ultimate goal. The
Scriptures verify themselves with hundreds of references attesting to the fact
that we are not passive spectators but active participants of His plan and will
for mankind. In contrast to the devil victimizing the world, this chapter is a sequel to "Works of the Devil" that concentrates on man's involvement in the demise of his own faith. It points out how we subtly deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ by our daily lifestyles apart from God's council that eventually leads (for some) to reject Christ as their savior. As a list of prerequisites, it takes the reader through the new Testament to every Scripture that refers to denying Christ in context with man exercising his will either passively or an actively against God's wishes, and denotes the consequences of such actions. This chapter contains virtually every subject and verse in the new Testament about God's compassionate munificence, dividing it into four simple yet profound sections: "Salvation Is Based On God’s Promises," "God Makes Promises On His Terms," "The Salvation Of God," and "Jews And Gentiles Are Being Saved." It is ideal for new converts in that the Scriptures pertaining to God's forgiveness and mercy are now more accessible than ever to those who would like to know more about how to make a commitment to Christ. It is also useful to the mature Christian who may want to delve deeper into the aspects of God's redemptive plan of salvation. The Bible speaks extensively about performing our duties as His responsible children, yet our destiny is not in our own hands, but in the hand of God. Man has no power over God to alter His works, to frustrate His plans or to deny His word when He acts by His own sovereign authority. Moreover, we can trust Him for our souls when the uncertainties of life attack the frailty of our flesh or even when our emotions overpower our own will to obey Him. This chapter shows how God is in complete control of everything even when it does not seem like it. This knowledge is often a great comfort, especially during tumultuous times when we need assurance that an infinite and benevolent God is watching over us. This chapter is a description of the kingdom of God itself. It lists distinct elements of heaven and places many of the buss-words of the Bible into proper perspective to give them a more defined meaning. It also describes heaven and depicts how it appears through the lives of His beloved children. As a sequel to "Thy Kingdom Come," there are many similarities, except that it is not a list of prerequisites but rather a list of traits designed to help the reader get a better grasp on the principles of God's kingdom. How can we accurately interpret the Bible or live a godly life without identifying and properly arranging our priorities? There are weights and measures, sequences and prerequisites to nearly every step we take. Therefore, we cannot over-stress the issue of priority. It plays a vital role in molding our value system, defining wealth and ultimately shaping our belief system about our lives and the Bible. The reader will come away from this chapter with a renewed urgency to adjust his life so that significant matters take precedence over things of less importance. The trinity is an age old conquest that has been separating cults from Christianity since the early years of church history. Yet because of its controversial nature, it is not a well-understood subject of the Bible, even among scholars who share similar beliefs. However, this book displays the trinity in a way that simplifies and accurately divides the main issues of the trinity into its proper components to show each concept separately in a clear and concise manner. The purpose of this chapter is to help the reader better understand the trinity by providing him/her with easy access to relevant verses for defending his/her faith against cults.
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